The rules at a glance
| Who can register | Anyone, worldwide. No residency, citizenship or local company is needed. |
|---|---|
| Name length | 3 to 63 characters, not counting ".sx" |
| Allowed characters | Letters a to z, numbers 0 to 9 and hyphens (-) |
| Hyphens | Allowed inside the name, but not at the start or the end |
| Registration term | 1 to 10 years at a time |
| Documents needed | None. You only need accurate contact details. |
| Registry | SX Registry SA B.V., Sint Maarten |
| After expiry | 15-day grace period, then a 30-day redemption period, then deletion |
Who can register a .SX domain?
.SX is the country-code domain for Sint Maarten, but it is open to everyone. Individuals, companies, organizations and governments anywhere in the world can register a .SX domain. You do not need to live in Sint Maarten or have a company there.
That makes .SX a good fit for island businesses that want a local address, and for brands anywhere that want a short, memorable name. See what your .SX can stand for for ideas.
Which names are allowed?
A valid .SX domain name:
- is 3 to 63 characters long, so two-letter names such as ab.sx cannot be registered;
- uses only letters, numbers and hyphens. Spaces, underscores, dots and symbols such as &, @ or ! are not allowed;
- does not start or end with a hyphen: my-shop.sx is fine, -myshop.sx is not;
- is not already registered, and is not on the registry's reserved list.
Domain names are not case-sensitive: MyShop.sx and myshop.sx are the same domain.
Reserved and restricted names
Like every country-code registry, the .SX registry keeps some names back. These can include names connected to government and public bodies, geographic names and some premium names. If a name you want shows as unavailable even though no website uses it, it may be reserved or already registered.
You are also responsible for making sure your name does not infringe someone else's trademark. A registration can be challenged under the registry's dispute rules if it copies a protected brand, so choose a name you have a right to use.
What you need to register
- Your name or company name, as the domain's owner (registrant);
- A working email address and phone number. Renewal notices and transfer codes are sent by email, so use an address you check;
- A postal address;
- Payment for the registration period you choose.
No documents, proof of address or trademark certificates are required. Contact details must be accurate: a domain registered with false details can be suspended. At AnyKey SX, WHOIS privacy is included free, so your personal details are not shown in public lookups.
How long you can register for
You can register a .SX domain for 1 to 10 years at a time, and renew it for further years before it expires. Turn on auto-renew in your client area so the domain never lapses by accident.
What happens when a .SX domain expires
- Grace period (15 days): the website and email stop working, but you can still renew, with a late fee.
- Redemption period (30 days): the domain can only be restored for a higher restore fee.
- Deletion: if it is not restored, the domain is deleted and anyone can register it.
Transfer rules
You can move a .SX domain between registrars at any time, except within 60 days of a registration or a previous transfer, or while the domain is expired and in redemption. You need the domain's authorization (EPP) code from your current registrar. Read our step-by-step transfer guide.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to live in Sint Maarten to own a .SX domain?
No. .SX is open to anyone, anywhere in the world.
Can I register a two-letter .SX domain?
No. The minimum length is three characters.
Can a .SX domain contain numbers?
Yes. Letters, numbers and hyphens are all allowed, for example shop721.sx.
Do I need documents to register?
No documents are needed, only accurate contact details and payment.
How fast is a .SX domain registered?
At AnyKey SX, registration is instant: the domain is created at the registry as soon as your payment clears.
